Some Do-It-Yourself Health Measures

Here are some measures you can do yourself concerning health which are preventative in nature- that is they can stop a health problem from occurring in the first instance:

1.     Improve your circulation.

Poor circulation in the body can lead to the following conditions or diseases: obesity; type2 diabetes; arthritis; dark circles under the eyes; cold feet or hands; itching; eye problems; vertigo and dizziness; muscle cramps; numbness; blood clots; chilblains; varicose veins; cardiovascular problems; and memory loss.  

The blood needs to be fluid to enable it to be pumped to every corner of the body by the heart.  Here are tips to improve circulation:

·        Drink at least six glasses of water daily.

·        Eat leafy green vegetables, whole fruits, wholegrain cereals. legumes, fish and some poultry.

·        Add cinnamon, garlic or ginger to meals where appropriate.

·        Exercise regularly such as going for a 30 minute walk daily. Other excises to consider are jogging, cycling or swimming.

·        Take a multi vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure there is no deficiency of magnesium or vitamin B6 in the diet.

·        Quit smoking, limit alcohol, sugar-laden soft drinks and caffeine intakes. 

2.     Improve your posture.  

Nearly all posture problems start with tension in the neck caused by jutting the chin up and out. You need to stop pulling your head back, let your head release forward thereby enabling your entire spine to lengthen. Don’t get stuck in one position for hours on end such a watching a computer screen –get up a move about occasionally. When seated for long periods of time you need a chair to support your back and neck, keep your knees apart, your feet firmly on the floor and avoid crossing your legs which will put pressure on your spine. When standing, stand tall as bad posture causes muscles to shorten and us to shrink.  

You can undo a day’s tension by spending 20 minutes every day in the “active resting“ position. To do this, lie down on your back on a carpeted floor, keep your feet on the floor with your knees pointing upwards towards the ceiling. Support your head with some books so it isn’t tilted backwards. This will help release tension, particularly in the spine, and thereby give immediate relief.

3.     Improve your memory.

You can improve your memory by doing the following:

·        Don’t skip on exercise or sleep: physical exercise increases oxygen to the brain and reduces the risk of disorders that lead to memory loss; make sure that you are getting enough sleep because when you are sleep deprived your brain cannot operate at full capacity.

·        Make time for friends and fun: meaningful relationships are a strong support system vital to both emotional and brain health; engage in laughter with  family and friends on a regular basis.

·        Keep stress in check: chronic stress damages brain cells and damages the region of the brain involved in the formation of new memories and retrieval of old ones.

·        Eat a brain-boosting diet involving doing the following: eat enough fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring in order to get enough omega 3 fatty-acids which have a beneficial effect on the brain; limit anything containing sugar or saturated fat; eat more fruits and vegetables; and drink green tea containing antioxidants that protect against free radicals.

·        Give your brain a workout: the more you work the brain, the better it is able to process and remember information. The best way to do this is (a) tackle something that is new; (b) that is challenging; and (c) something that is fun and provides physical and emotional enjoyment.

4.     Improve your eyesight with palming.  

Palming is one of the most relaxing things you can do for your eyesight, and relaxation is the best natural contribution you can make in respect of your vision.  All you need to do is allocate 10 minutes of your time daily to doing the following:

·        Sit in a comfortable chair in which your back is supported and is situated immediately adjacent to a table.

·        Place your elbows on the table and place your cupped palms over your eyes in criss-cross manner so that all light is blocked out.

·        Breathe deeply while repeating to yourself “my eyesight is improving”.

·        Your eyes should be open during palming, and you should avoid touching them, as far as possible, with your palms.

The above simple steps are consistent with my belief that individuals can take preventative actions in relation to health problems.  

Why You Cannot Solely Rely on Food for Nutrition

 The British government are the only government that I am aware of to have done a study over time on the depletion of the nutrient value of food caused by modern farming methods. The study that I am referring to was started in the 1930's and concluded in the 1990's. The years 1940 and 1992 are of particular importance in the study. A selection of vegetables, fruits and meats from those two particular years were compared in the raw and, where appropriate, cooked states to determine the loss of critical minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc etc. 

A very brief summary of the findings of the losses over this 52 year period is as follows: vegetables lost on average 31% of their mineral content; fruits lost on average 23%; and meats lost on average 30%. There is no reason to suppose this loss of essential nutrients hasn't continued from 1992 to the present time. The reasons for the losses are modern methods involving intensive farming, the mechanisation of farms, fertilizer policy and the use of chemicals and sprays on crops. 

That particular study just related to the state of the land that the selection of vegetables, fruits and meats came from. Whilst the condition of the land from which products are sourced is important, the other variables to consider with food in order to get the best nutritional value from it is: how fresh is it; how is stored; and how is it cooked ? Vital nutrients can be lost with cabbage, for instance, simply by overcooking it. These variables are such that there is no guarantee that you are getting all the nutrients that you need on a daily basis from what you consume.  

If we cannot derive all the vitamins, minerals and fibre we need daily from the food we eat, what can we do to compensate? The answer to that question is to take supplements to make up for the deficiency in the diet. A good way to do this is to take a multi-vitamin and mineral tablet or capsule daily. Most of these contain all the essential vitamins and minerals required to maintain good health, and compensate for any deficiencies in the diet. These tablets or capsules can be obtained from health food shops, from the major supermarkets or can be obtained from suppliers via the Internet.

People concerned about aging could additionally take Brewer’s Yeast on a daily basis which usually comes in tablet form. Brewer’s Yeast is an excellent food supplement containing large amounts of iron, magnesium zinc and other minerals, as well as essential amino acids and all the B vitamins.

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